Donington on right track with new West Mids leaseholder
ICONIC racetrack Donington Park has been leased to a Worcestershire construction and property investment firm for 25 years.
Bromsgrove-based Adroit Group has agreed a deal with the track’s owner Kevin Wheatcroft but its MD says they are under no illusion about the task that faces them.
In February 2007, Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd secured a 150-year lease from the Wheatcroft family and a deal to host the British F1 Grand Prix from 2010 was put in place two years ago.
The deal was beset with problems though, the site has been unused since September and six months ago Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd went into administration, leaving 40 staff jobless and the track ripped to pieces.
Adroit group MD David Broome said: “It is a big task and nobody is under any illusions about that. We intend to bring the site back up to a world class standard.
“The entire site needs attention whilst much of it will require a total overhaul from the track itself to the medical centre, hospitality suites, phone, radio and PA systems, IT systems, CCTV and general ground work.
“There is no magic wand, but through a calm, cautious, credible and sensible approach we know that we have the experience, expertise and absolute commitment to bring the glory years back to Donington.
“I believe the very fact that we fully understand the task at hand and were able to convey our realism and pragmatism were factors in us winning out over the other parties.”
Adroit is £16m turnover company and specialises in water, energy, infrastructure, renewable energy, health and education and rail.
It will take over the entire site, which straddles the Leicestershire and Derbyshire border, and the lease includes exhibition facilities, the Donington Grand Prix Collection of cars and helmets, the Norton motorbike factory, all woodland areas and extensive parking.
The famous black Dunlop Bridge will also be rebuilt although not in the original location due to new clearance regulations.
A projected £1.5m-£2m will be spent on the track by the end of 2010, with work beginning immediately, and this year’s Download rock festival is expected to go ahead as planned next month.
Kevin Wheatcroft added: “We are particularly pleased that after a long interview process, we feel that we have found the right people to move Donington forward into a new and exciting future.”
Picture from left: Operations director Steve Watton and MD David Broome of Adroit Group and Donington Park owner Kevin Wheatcroft
